Investing in Experiences

In today’s world, I often see other people think wealth is often equated with what you

own: luxury cars, designer wardrobes, and massive homes. But to my family real wealth

isn’t parked in your driveway or hanging in your closet it’s the ability to do the things you

want, when you want, and often for us it’s traveling somewhere new as a family.

To me, travel can be the ultimate investment in personal growth and happiness that

lasts long after the trip is over. By shifting your priorities from accumulating things to

collecting experiences, you unlock a life filled with meaning, connection, and joy.

Wealth is more than just a number; it’s about how deeply you experience life. A luxury

car might impress for a while, but memories of wandering cobblestone streets in France

with your children or hiking up an extinct volcano in Bend, Oregon pays what I call a

memory dividend.

What is a memory dividend? A memory dividend is a feeling you get that takes you back

to a time and place long after you have had that experience.

I’ll never forget the moment Morgan and I stood in front of the Colosseum in Rome and

felt such wonder and awe in the fact that people somehow built that amazing wonder

close to 2,000 years ago and the history that took place there. It wasn’t just about

seeing a famous landmark—it was about sharing a moment together we will never

forget. Now every time I see the colosseum in a movie like Gladiator it takes me back to

that trip we took in 2018, and I get that same feeling I felt all those years ago.

Not only that. Every trip is an opportunity to grow. Whether you’re navigating a new city

or immersing yourself in another culture, travel teaches lessons that stay with you long

after the journey ends.

Adaptability: On a trip to Big Bend National Park when I was in college, my

girlfriend at the time, now wife, and best friend from France, Mael, the one we are

going to see in February, went to hike the Chimney’s trail early in the morning.

After the short hike up I saw a tree way off in the distance, which is rare to see in

that part in the desert, and we decided to hike to it.

Forty minutes later we found ourselves next to an old cottonwood tree above a wash

looking across from an ancient circular native American ruin scattered with flint and

broker pieces of pottery, an unexpected sight to say the least.

Cultural Awareness: On a trip visiting Honduras with our kids not only gave us

incredible memories but also sparked meaningful conversations about history,

architecture, and global perspectives.

Confidence: Facing the unknown, like finding your way up the Continental Divide

in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, with your one-year-old and just a map, builds self-

assurance and determination.

Travel doesn’t have to break the bank—it’s about making intentional choices that align

with your values.

1. Set up a Travel Fund: Treat travel as a necessary investment. Set aside a

portion of your income each month. I do this even with my retiree clients who

don’t like to spend money, it gives them permission to spend.

2. Plan Smartly: Use tools like credit card rewards to offset costs. Our family has

saved thousands of dollars in airfare over the years simply by strategically using

travel points.

3. Prioritize Experiences: Instead of upgrading to the latest car model or eating

out three times a week, we’ve chosen adventures like hiking though the fall

foliage in Acadia National Park.

Case Study: The average American household spends $3,639 a year on eating out

according to a 2022 study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Redirecting just half of that

could fund multiple domestic trips or even a European adventure.

Choosing experiences over possessions isn’t just a financial decision, it’s a life

philosophy. By prioritizing travel, you cultivate personal growth, create lasting memories,

and enrich your life in ways many luxury items cannot.

So, what’s stopping you? Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a journey across the

globe, your next adventure is waiting. Start small, dream big, and remember: The best

things in life aren’t things, they’re the moments that make life worth living.

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not

intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or firm.